Connecting device for an electronic apparatus carrying panel

ABSTRACT

A connecting device for connecting a plurality of input and output conductors directly to an electronic apparatus carrying panel, such as a printed circuit-panel. A binding post having plug-in contacts receives the border of the panel and has screwoperated contacts for clamping the end of the conductors. The plug-in contacts and the screw contacts are connected by a strips having a bridge contact which can be opened by an insulating jack.

United States Patent Leymarie July4, 1972 [S4] CONNECTING DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRONIC APPARATUS CARRYING PANEL [72] inventor:

[73] Assignee:

Claude P. 11. Leymarle, Grenoble, France MERLIN GERIN, Societe Anonyme of Rue lienri Tarae, Grenoble, France [22] Filed: Aug. 3, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 168,692

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. I0, 1970 France ..7029464 [52] US. Cl. "MO/51.1, 200/5 1 .12, ZOO/51.06, 339/176 MP, 317/101 DH [51] [58] FieldofSearch ..200/$l.1,5l.11,5103,5104, 200/5105, 5|.06, 51.12; 339/176 MP, 176 MP;

317/101 DH, I01 CC [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,795,664 6/ 1957 Conrad ..200/5 1.1 3,270,313 8/l966 Sautois ....339/l76 MP Brown et ai... ...339/i76 MP Vlijmen et al. ..200/5 Ll Primary Examiner-David Smith, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A connecting device for connecting a plurality of input and output conductors directly to an electronic apparatus carrying panel, such as a printed circuit-panel. A binding post having plug-in contacts receives the border of the panel and has screw-operated contacts for clamping the end of the conductors. The plug-in contacts and the screw contacts are connected by a strips having a bridge contact which can be opened by an insulating jack.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJuL' 4 I972 SHEET 10F 2 FIGS FIG/I PATENTEnJuL --4 m2 SHEET 2 OF 2 CONNECI'ING DEVICE FOR AN mONIC APPARATUS CARRYING PANEL This invention relates to a connecting device for connecting a plurality of input and output conductors associated with exterior apparatus such as relays, electromagnetic valves, and so on, to an electronic apparatus carrying panel, such as a printed circuit board.

In the prior art, for instance in data processing machines or in remote control installation, the printed circuit boards or module carrying panels are inserted with one of their carrying borders in binding posts. The binding posts comprise a plurality of aligned contact pins or the like adapted for plug-in connection to a multiconductor cable, the opposite end of which is connected to a fixed binding post to which the input and output conductors of the utilizers electrical apparatus may be connected.

The connecting cable between the binding posts may carry 50 conductors, or more, and its connection to the binding posts of the printed circuit boards is generally different for different installations so that the working out and assembling of an installation is time-consuming and costly. Moreover, the intermediate cable is bulky.

It is an object of the invention to provide a connecting device without intermediate cable and permitting the utilizer to connect his input and output conductors directly and in a simple manner to the post terminals of the electronic boards.

It is another object of the invention to improve the arrangement of the binding posts in such a manner that the interconnection cables may be received in channels arranged between rows of binding posts.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a connection device comprising simple disconnecting means of the input and output conductors without needing an unclamping or unscrewing of the conductors.

It is still further object of the invention to provide a connection device of the type mentioned permitting a simple electrical testing of the apparatus without disconnecting the boards or the input and output conductors.

These and other objects will become apparent upon reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. I shows in side view a connecting device in accordance with the invention of a printed circuit board plugged onto a connector.

FIG. 2 is a partial view on a larger scale in section along the line II-II of FIG. I, the connecting system of certain terminals being removed.

FIG. 3 is a partial view of the rear of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 showing a terminal in accordance with a variant embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5, which is similar to FIGS. 2 and 4, shows another embodiment of the invenn'on, only one of die terminals being shown in section, the connecting members having been removed.

FIG. 6 shows in cross section still another embodiment of the invention.

In the figures, boards or panels [0, 12 each serve as support for electronic and microstructure components connected together by printed circuits so as to constitute a subassembly. A large number of printed circuit boards 10, 12 of standard size are grouped in racks or bays (not shown) to constitute electronic assemblies, the distances between the boards l0, 12 being maintained for considerations of space as small as possible, for instance a standardized distance apart of one inch. The rear edge or border 14 of each board l0, l2 bears contact elements (not shown) formed for instance of conductive paths extending perpendicularly to the edge 14 and connected to the circuits and components of the board of which they constitute the inputs and the outputs. Upon the plugging in of the board I0, 12 into the rack, the edge I4 fits into a connector or binding post designated generally as 16, which bears mating contact elements, for instance spring fingers 18 which enter into electric contact with the elements of the board 10, 12 (see FIG. 2). Such arrangements are well-known and need not be in further detail.

'lhebindingpostl6isformedofaboardofirurlating materialononeofitsfaceswith agridwmkofmating contacts I8, each column 20, 22, 24 of which cooperates with a printed circuit board, the distance between the columns 20, 22,24 -tothedistanceapartoftheboardsl0, l2 plugged intoth binding post. Each spring finger 18 is connected electrically or is extended by a connecting member accessible from the opposite side of the binding post 16.

In accordance with the invention the binding post 16 is provided with two types ofclamping contacts 26 and 28, some 26, being of the type customarily used to receive by clipping, crimping or soldering the internal connecting wires of the system which, for instance, connect together the circuits of the difierent boards, while the others 28 are of the type having screw terminals which permit easy connecting of the outer connecting wires, for instance wires of the transmission cables. In the example shown, the members 26 are grouped in the upperpartofthe binding post 16(see FIGS. 1 and 3) while the lower part constitutes an electrical connector which will be described in further detail with reference to FIG. 2. It is obvious that the connections to the printed circuit boards must be grouped in a corresponding manner and any other arrangement, for instance intermingling of the difierent types of clamping contacts can be adopted.

The rear face of the binding post 16 opposite the boards l0, 12 is cut in a convex dihedral angle 29, 30 in the region of the screw actuatable contacts or terminals 28 and for each terminal it has a recess in the form of an elongated parallelepiped 31 extending parallel to one (29) of the faces of the dihedral angle and through an entrance orifice 32 which opens up on the other face 30 of the dihedral angle. An orifice 34 with flared inlet on the face 29 provides access to the recess 31 in particular for inserting the end of the connecting wire 33. The terminal proper consists of a clamping screw 36 which screws into a square nut 38, the end of which rests against a contact plate 40 having a lug 42 bent at a right angle. The assembly is housed in the recess 31 either upon the molding of the binding post or by insertion through the opening 34, the dimensions of which must be established for this purpose. The lug 42 has a hole to receive and wedge the connecting wire 33 and the plate 40 is extended by a lug 44 moving in a groove and connected via a flexible connector or strip 46 to the spring fingers 18.

It will be understood that by screwing the screw 36, for instance by means of a screwdriver introduced into the orifice 32, the screwing into the nut 38 which is held fast as a result of its square section and the fact that it rests against a shoulder (not shown) on the recess 31, causes a sliding of the plate 40 and a clamping of the wire 33 inserted through the orifice 34 into the recess 31 so as to assure electrical connection between the wire and the fingers 18. The oblique arrangement of the tennina] pennits easy access to the orifices 32 and 34 and makes it possible considerably to decrease the lateral size of the terminal while assuring a minimum spacing of the boards l0, 12. Any other type of terminal which permits easy fastening of the wires, for instance by wedging with a clamping screw, can of course be used. The face 29 of the dihedral angle has a groove 48 with restricted opening adapted to receive an identification plate (not shown) by snapping in place.

The operation of the system is obvious Upon the installation of the system, the wires 33 of the connecting cables are connected directly to the fixed binding post by tightening the various screws 30 so as to make the proper connections. The boards l0, 12 can be unplugged and removed for inspection or replacement in the customary manner without having to effect any disconnecting or disassembling.

FIG. 4 shows an improved terminal, which is similar to that shown in FIG. 2 but has a disconnecting and testing device. The same reference numbers designate in this figure parts identical to those of FIG. 2. The lug 44 is subdivided into two parts 47 and 49 which are held mechanically together by an insulating material but are electrically isolated from each other. In the example shown, each part consists of a region having a female thread into which there is screwed a screw 50 of conductive material which assures the electrical connection between the two parts 47, 49. The screw 50 is accessible through an orifice 52 which is parallel to the orifice 32 and debouches on the face 30 of the binding post 16. By removing the screw 50, the electrical connection between the mating contacts 18 and the corresponding clamping contact is cut so as to pennit inspection .tests. The screw 50 can be replaced by a unilateral contact member, for imtance a semiinsulating screw (not shown) in order to form a test point which gives access to the circuits of the board while the associated terminal remains disconnected without removing the board.

FIG. 5 shows a variant embodiment of binding post 16 with terminals 28 the body of which on its side faces is provided in the region between the recesses 31 and 52 and the spring fingets is with a cutout 54 which together with the mating cutout of the adjacent binding post defines a channel 56 extending over the entire height of the stack of terminals 28. The throat-shaped channel 56 advantageously serves to contain the wires 33 which are associated with the column of corresponding terminals and are introduced into the throat 56 through spaces 58 provided between two adjacent terminals 28. The point of emergence of the wires 33 is thus transferred to the base of the binding post l6, and the rear connecting face of the latter is remarkably neat.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the screw terminals 28 are independent parts asembled by plugging into a connector 60 which may be common to the entire column of terminals 28, which in their turn may be incorporated in a single block. Any system of connection can obviously be used whatever the type of terminals, for instance those shown in H65. 2, 4 or 5.

FIG. 6 shows a variant embodiment of the binding post 16 wherein the strip means 46 connecting the spring finger l8 and the associated screw contact 36 comprises a bridge contact with two spring fingers 47, 49. The resilient lip contacts or spring fingers 47, 49 are urged together and may be separated by insertion of an insulated body or jack 64 to open said bridge contact. The jack 64 may be provided with a conductive section 66 having plug-in contact with the spring finger 47 in inserted position of jack 64 to permit electric testing as described hereinbefore.

The invention is of course not limited to the embodiments which have been more particularly described and shown in the accompanying drawings, but rather covers any variant falling within the range of electrical equivalents.

What is claimed is:

l. A connecting device for electrically connecting a plurality of input and output conductors ted with exterior apparatus to an electronic apparatus carrying panel having a border carrying a plurality of aligned contact elements adapted for frictional gripping contact in plug-in relation with a plurality of registering mating contacts carried by one face of a binding post, said binding post comprising a plurality of manually operable clamping contacts registering with said mating contacts and carried by the opposite face of said binding post, each clamping contact being adapted to clamp input and output conductors of different diameters, said binding post further comprising connecting strip means adapted to selectively connect and disconnect each mating contact to and from the corresponding clamping contact.

2. A device as set forth in claim I, each clamping contact being screwactuatable.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1, said connecting strip means comprising jack-operated pressure contacts.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3, said pressure contacts comprising pairs of resilient lip contacts resiliently urged together and separable by introduction of insulating jack means.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4, said opposite face comprising passageways for said jack means extending longitudinally at an angle with respect to the general direction of said panel.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5, said opposite face and said clamping contacts being adapted for the introduction of said conductors at an angle with respect to the general direction of said panel.

7. A device as set forth in claim 6, the general direction of said passageways being substantially perpendicular to the direction of introduction of said conductors.

8. A device as set forth in claim 1, said binding post being of moulded material and comprising intermediate said one and opposite faces a recessed side face for the reception of said input and output conductors.

* k i i 

1. A connecting device for electrically connecting a plurality of input and output conductors associated with exterior apparatus to an electronic apparatus carrying panel having a border carrying a plurality of aligned contact elements adapted for frictional gripping contact in plug-in relation with a plurality of registering mating contacts carried by one face of a binding post, said binding post comprising a plurality of manually operable clamping contacts registering with said mating contacts and carried by the opposite face of said binding post, each clamping contact being adapted to clamp input and output conductors of different diameters, said binding post further comprising connecting strip means adapted to selectively connect and disconnect each mating contact to and from the corresponding clamping contact.
 2. A device as set forth in claim 1, each clamping contact being screw-actuatable.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 1, said connecting strip means comprising jack-operated pressure contacts.
 4. A device as set forth in claim 3, said pressure contacts comprising pairs of resilient lip contacts resiliently urged together and separable by introduction of insulating jack means.
 5. A device as set forth in claim 4, said opposite face comprising passageways for said jack means extending longitudinally at an angle with respect to the general direction of said panel.
 6. A device as set forth in claim 5, said opposite face and said clamping contacts being adapted for the introduction of said conductors at an angle with respect to the general direction of said panel.
 7. A device as set forth in claim 6, the general direction of said passageways being substantially perpendicular to the direction of introduction of said conductors.
 8. A device as set forth in claim 1, said binding post being of moulded material and comprising intermediate said one and opposite faces a recessed side face for the reception of said input and output conductors. 